Mesa Public Schools Superintendent - Mesa, AZ

Mesa Public Schools’ Governing Board is seeking a highly qualified superintendent to lead the largest public school district in Arizona. The selected candidate will assume the position July 1, 2018.

Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) has been engaged as the consultant in this search. All activities associated with identifying and screening candidates and questions regarding the position will be handled by ASBA.

Administrative experience in education commensurate with the position that clearly and measurably demonstrates leadership success and sustainable results.

Current superintendent certificate preferred.

Doctoral degree preferred.

The Governing Board comprises five uncompensated community members elected to serve four-year terms.

The successful candidate will possess and have demonstrated the skills and abilities essential for excellence in educational leadership, including:

A student-centered leader who is passionate that every child receives the best education possible to achieve their full potential and become a productive contributor to society, and drives this belief through rigorous curriculum, instruction and assessment practices.

A visionary leader who seeks and transforms ideas into reality, celebrates innovation, focuses on success, accepts risk and builds a culture of growth and problem solving through continuous improvement.

A collaborative leader who embraces diversity, engages stakeholders, listens well, invites constructive criticism and considers feedback in final decision making. An influential leader of high integrity who inspires excellence and dedication, builds trust and fosters confidence in staff, parents, students and community. A sound fiscal leader who prioritizes the use of all resources to maximize the impact and benefit to students and employees while adhering to state and federal requirements.

Mesa Public Schools is the largest public school district in Arizona, educating more than 64,500 students in preschool through 12th grade. The award-winning district comprises

six comprehensive high schools, nine junior high schools, 50 elementary schools and 17 choice and success schools. Mesa Public Schools enjoys a strong, positive working relationship with more than 9,000 full- and part-time staff members.

Generations of Mesa families have attended district schools — Mesa pride runs deep. As a minority-majority district, with approximately 43 percent Hispanic students, MPS embraces diversity. More than 35 languages are spoken in student homes.

Outstanding athletics and arts are hallmarks of a comprehensive Mesa Public Schools education, as evidenced by award-winning district athletic teams and performance groups.

The district offers a broad array of programs to students, including:

1:1 student take-home devices (ninth to 12th grade)

Montessori (pre-K to sixth grade)

International Baccalaureate (K to 12th grade)

Dual language immersion (K to sixth grade)

AP Capstone diploma program (ninth to 12th grade)

Career and Technical Education programming (seventh to 12th grade)

Franklin Traditional Schools (K to eighth grade)

STEM and STEAM experiences (pre-K to 12th grade)

The district encompasses approximately 200 square miles of Mesa and a small part of north Chandler. Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona, and the 36th largest city in the country. In 2016, the population was approximately 475,274. The city’s population has grown an estimated 52 percent between 1990 and 2010 and is expected to reach 620,300 by 2030. Mesa ranks among the top cities in the nation for quality of life and entrepreneurship. In 2015, Money Magazine named Mesa the top city in the southwest, citing “One prime reason: education.”

The city’s top employers include Boeing, City of Mesa, Banner Health systems and the district itself. Voters are historically supportive of Mesa Public Schools, approving a 10 percent maintenance and operations override in 2014, and a $230 million bond in 2012. Although several charter and private school options are available in Mesa, approximately 87 percent of Mesa’s children attend district schools.

It’s great to live in Mesa, too. Recreational highlights include numerous hiking and walking trails, a stellar parks and recreation system, a robust creative scene in downtown Mesa, and spring training games at the local Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s stadiums.

PROJECTED TIMELINE ACTIVITY

Application deadline, Noon, Jan. 24

Semifinalists selected by the Board, Feb. 9

Semifinalist interviews with the Board, Week of Feb. 19

Finalist interviews with the Board, Week of March 5

Selection of new superintendent, By March 9

Start date, On or before July 1

The minimum salary will be $210,000 plus performance pay and an excellent benefit package. The final salary for the successful candidate will be determined based on proven experience, qualifications, and meeting Board criteria.

Application and selection procedure are available at azsba.org/jobs/executive-search

Candidates are asked to not contact board members directly. Any effort to do so may eliminate them from consideration. Names of applicants will be held in strict confidence whenever possible; however, Mesa Public Schools complies with state Freedom of Information laws.

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer

ALAS President Ana V. Ortiz

It is a great honor to be selected by my ALAS Board of Directors peers as the ALAS Board President. Read more.